VA VA - David Metzler, 19, & Heidi Childs, 18, fatally shot, Montgomery Co, 26 Aug 2009

[PrairieWind]

They aren’t “supposed to” but that range isn’t monitored, it’s more of an honor system type place. Here is a link to the website for it, it’s hours are listed as sunrise to sunset…on August 26 per Google sunset that day was at 7:59 pm…it’s estimated they were killed between 8:25-10 pm, so shortly after sunset. Not saying it has any direct correlation but just something that makes me go hmm.

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests : Recreation Site - Blacksburg Shooting Range

Located just outside Blacksburg, this site offers a rifle and pistol range as well as a shotgun and archery range. The rifle and pistol range is designed for firing at stationary paper targets up to 100 meters away. The lanes are sheltered from the sun and each one has a shooting bench that...

www.fs.usda.gov

I doubt the range has anything to do with this, but who knows.
The 30-30 use is interesting to me. A very very popular rifle in the past, but has lost appeal lately especially out west with hunters. But I suspect still common in the east with more forested areas to hunt. A 30-30 round is very efficient and probably killed more deer than any other caliber in the 20th century in the US. I wonder if they can determine the source of the ammunition.

 

[Justice101]

They aren’t “supposed to” but that range isn’t monitored, it’s more of an honor system type place. Here is a link to the website for it, it’s hours are listed as sunrise to sunset…on August 26 per Google sunset that day was at 7:59 pm…it’s estimated they were killed between 8:25-10 pm, so shortly after sunset. Not saying it has any direct correlation but just something that makes me go hmm.

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests : Recreation Site - Blacksburg Shooting Range

Located just outside Blacksburg, this site offers a rifle and pistol range as well as a shotgun and archery range. The rifle and pistol range is designed for firing at stationary paper targets up to 100 meters away. The lanes are sheltered from the sun and each one has a shooting bench that...

www.fs.usda.gov

Yep, so I guess it is possible

 

[crazyrabbitlady]

I doubt the range has anything to do with this, but who knows.
The 30-30 use is interesting to me. A very very popular rifle in the past, but has lost appeal lately especially out west with hunters. But I suspect still common in the east with more forested areas to hunt. A 30-30 round is very efficient and probably killed more deer than any other caliber in the 20th century in the US. I wonder if they can determine the source of the ammunition.

I am sure they can, I believe they have casings and the bullets. I don’t recall ever hearing the brand. I wonder if they are keeping that hidden from public as a clue. There are several outdoor outfitters and gun shops around the area. The 30-30 is still pretty popular in this area due to them being more “hand me down” guns.

My thought behind the range is the 30-30 really isn’t a gun you would just carry around without purpose…except maybe in a gun rack in a truck.

This case bothers me so much, if they truly have touch DNA, why hasn’t it been solved yet or a genetic genealogist picked it up yet.

 

[Justice101]

I am sure they can, I believe they have casings and the bullets. I don’t recall ever hearing the brand. I wonder if they are keeping that hidden from public as a clue. There are several outdoor outfitters and gun shops around the area. The 30-30 is still pretty popular in this area due to them being more “hand me down” guns.

My thought behind the range is the 30-30 really isn’t a gun you would just carry around without purpose…except maybe in a gun rack in a truck.

This case bothers me so much, if they truly have touch DNA, why hasn’t it been solved yet or a genetic genealogist picked it up yet.

My guess is that rifle is at the bottom of the New River

 

[Warwick1991]

As far as a lever action 30-30 goes, there have been a number of take down models made for many years. The barrel can be detached from the stock and receiver. Those can be stored or transported far more easily. Since some of those rifles are collector's items or somewhat expensive, the murder weapon might have been retained by the killer.

 

[PrairieWind]

My guess is that rifle is at the bottom of the New River

Maybe, maybe not. If this gun was long owned by the shooter they will try to keep it as long as possible. If it was stolen etc, then yes, it is at the bottom of a lake/river etc.

 

[crazyrabbitlady]

Maybe, maybe not. If this gun was long owned by the shooter they will try to keep it as long as possible. If it was stolen etc, then yes, it is at the bottom of a lake/river etc.

I agree with this. Why dump something that can be traced back to them.

 

[PrairieWind]

I agree with this. Why dump something that can be traced back to them.

A gun owner with a strong attachment to a rifle, like something handed down from a father etc, will go to a lot of lengths to not get rid of it. They might bury it somewhere they can still recover it, but probably not dump it in a lake where it is gone forever.

 

[crazyrabbitlady]

A gun owner with a strong attachment to a rifle, like something handed down from a father etc, will go to a lot of lengths to not get rid of it. They might bury it somewhere they can still recover it, but probably not dump it in a lake where it is gone forever.

This is something that sticks out to me about the hand me down….I’ve been debating for years to submit a tip, but I have really been torn on it because it’s close to home. I may try to call the detective listed on the cold case site tomorrow and talk to him.